Unready for the Loud Cry
The health reform...is a part of the third
angel's message, and is just as closely connected with it as are
the arm and hand with the human body. ...we as
a people must make an advance move in this great work.
Ministers and people must act in concert. God's people are
not prepared for the loud cry of the third angel. They have
a work to do for themselves which they should not leave for
God to do for them. He has left this work for them to do.
It is an individual work; one cannot do it for another.
"Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us
cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit,
perfecting holiness in the fear of God." Gluttony is the
prevailing sin of this age. Lustful appetite makes slaves of
men and women, and beclouds their intellects and stupefies
their moral sensibilities to such a degree that the sacred,
elevated truths of God's word are not appreciated. The
lower propensities have ruled men and women.
In order to be fitted for translation, the people of God
must know themselves. They must understand in regard to
their own physical frames, that they may be able with the
psalmist to exclaim, "I will praise Thee, for I am fearfully
and wonderfully made." They should ever have the appetite
in subjection to the moral and intellectual organs. The body
should be servant to the mind, and not the mind to the body.
Preparation for the Refreshing
God requires His people to cleanse themselves from
all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the
fear of the Lord. All those who are indifferent and excuse
themselves from this work, waiting for the Lord to do for
them that which He requires them to do for themselves, will
be found wanting when the meek of the earth, who have
wrought His judgments, are hid in the day of the Lord's
anger. I was shown that if God's people make no efforts on their
part, but wait for the refreshing to come upon them and
remove their wrongs and correct their errors; if they depend
upon that to cleanse them from filthiness of the flesh and
spirit, and fit them to engage in the loud cry of the third
angel, they will be found wanting. The refreshing or power
of God comes only on those who have prepared themselves
for it by doing the work which God bids them, namely,
cleansing themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and
spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Appeals to the Hesitant
The failure to follow sound principles has marred the
history of God's people. There has been a continual
backsliding in health reform, and as a result God is dishonored
by a great lack of spirituality. Barriers have been erected
which would never have been seen had God's people walked
in the light. Shall we who have had such great opportunities allow
the people of the world to go in advance of us in health
reform? Shall we cheapen our minds and abuse our talents
by wrong eating? Shall we transgress God's holy law by
following selfish practices? Shall our inconsistency become
a byword? Shall we live such unchristianlike lives that the
Saviour will be ashamed to call us brethren?
Medical Missionary Work
Shall we not rather do that medical missionary work
which is the gospel in practice, living in such a way that the
peace of God can rule in our hearts? Shall we not remove
every stumbling block from the feet of unbelievers, ever
remembering what is due to a profession of Christianity?
Far better give up the name of Christian than make a
profession and at the same time indulge appetites which
strengthen unholy passions. God calls upon every church member to dedicate his life
unreservedly to the Lord's service. He calls for decided
reformation. All creation is groaning under the curse.
God's people should place themselves where they will grow
in grace, being sanctified, body, soul, and spirit, by the
truth. When they break away from all health-destroying
indulgences, they will have a clearer perception of what
constitutes true godliness. A wonderful change will be seen
in the religious experience.
COUNSEL ON DIET AND FOODS, PAGE 1 |
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